However, there’s a big difference between nonhazardous debris like Styrofoam,
nylon rope and netting, paper and plastic bottles – which makes up the majority
of the debris found on our beaches – and items that could be hazardous.
Beachgoers should never move or touch potentially hazardous materials including:

Spilled oil

Drums and barrels

Fuel tanks and gas containers

Gas cylinders

Chemical totes

Containers with unknown fluids

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
has posted a
Hazardous Marine Debris Handbook developed by the government of Japan. The
handbook is designed to help advise U.S. beachgoers as well as emergency
responders about debris items that could contain potentially hazardous
materials.

There has been a reported increase in the number of potentially hazardous
items washing ashore on Washington’s coastal beaches. Since Jan. 1, 2014,
the state Department
of Ecology has handled more than 20 reports of possible dangerous debris
including gas cylinders, large drums, and fuel containers. In an average year,
Ecology typically handles just six to 10 such reports on the coastal shoreline.

One of these reported items has been confirmed as Japan tsunami debris — a cylinder found Feb. 23, 2013 at Leadbetter Point (Long Beach, Pacific County). NOAA works with the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle to confirm the origin of items when enough identifying markers exist on them.

Precaution important

Precaution is really important because Washington relies heavily on the
efforts of selfless, dedicated volunteers and citizen actions to help keep our
beaches clean.

NOAA is the lead agency for predicting how marine debris is likely moving in
the ocean, including debris from the tragic March 11, 2011 tsunami that struck
Japan. They are the best source for
Japan tsunami marine
debris information. For more information about marine debris in Washington,
including potential Japan tsunami debris, visit the state’s
Tsunami / Marine Debris website.